This week Amazon announced a new 4K stick for $49.99. They also made a few other changes including updating the Fire TV cube and dropping the Fire TV pedant from the lineup.
From what we see, the new Fire TV Cube is the same physical player but with a new Alexa remote that can also power on and off your TV and change the volume. This is similar to what Roku did in 2016 with their remotes, but Amazon has also included a mute button—something Roku does not offer.
The updated Fire TV will also come standard with an Ethernet adapter and IR extender cable.
It is important to remember that this is the same device with a new remote. If you want the new Fire TV Cube, they are available for preorder now with an October 31, 2018, release date.
Here are some details about the new Fire TV Cube:
- The first hands-free streaming media player with Alexa. From across the room, just ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play what you want to watch.
- With far-field voice recognition, eight microphones, and beamforming technology, Fire TV Cube hears you from any direction. Enjoy hands-free voice control of content—search, play, pause, fast forward, and more. Plus control the power and volume on your TV, sound bar, and A/V receiver as well as change live cable or satellite channels with just your voice.
- Fire TV Cube has a built-in speaker that lets you check the weather, listen to the news, control compatible smart home devices, and more—even with the TV off. Fire TV Cube is always getting smarter with new Alexa skills and voice functionality.
- Experience true-to-life picture quality and sound with access to vivid 4K Ultra HD up to 60 fps, HDR, and the audio clarity of Dolby Atmos.
- Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills. Get over 500,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, NBC, and more.
- Access YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, and more websites with Silk and Firefox browsers.
- An Amazon Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes including “Thursday Night Football” and Prime Originals like “The Big Sick” and “Sneaky Pete”.
- Now includes all-new Alexa Voice Remote with power and volume controls.
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